Reference Guide

Index
Search
Contents
Help

Problem Solver

Diagnosing the Problem

Error indicators
EPSON Status Monitor
Running a printer operation check

If you are connecting via the USB interface and are having difficulty printing, the problem may be related to your USB connection. Refer to Correcting USB Problems for details.

If your problem is not USB related, troubleshooting printer problems is best handled in two easy steps: first diagnose the problem, then apply likely solutions until the problem is fixed.

The information that you need to diagnose and solve most common problems is provided by the printer's control panel, the EPSON Status Monitor utility, or by running a printer operation check. Refer to the appropriate section below.

If you have a specific problem relating to print quality, a printout problem not related to print quality, or a paper feeding problem, or if the printer does not print at all, refer to the appropriate section in this chapter.

To solve a problem, you may need to cancel printing. For details, see Cancelling Printing.

Error indicators

You can identify many common printer problems using the lights on your printer's control panel. If your printer stops working and the lights are on or flashing, use the following table of panel light patterns to diagnose the problem, then try the recommended solution. If the status of the power light is not shown, it is on or flashing.

Lights

Problem and Solution

Paper out

No paper is loaded in the printer.

Load paper in the sheet feeder, then press the  paper button. Printer will resume printing and the light will turn off.

Paper jam

Paper has jammed in the printer.

Press the  paper button to eject the jammed paper. If the error does not clear, open the printer cover and remove all of the paper inside, including any torn pieces. Then, reload the paper in the sheet feeder and press the  paper button to resume printing.

Ink low

The ink cartridge is nearly empty.

Obtain a replacement black (T0321), cyan (T0422), magenta (T0423), or yellow (T0424) ink cartridge. To determine which cartridge is nearly empty, check the ink level using EPSON Status Monitor 3 (Windows) or EPSON StatusMonitor (Macintosh).

Ink out

The ink cartridge is empty or not installed.

Replace the black (T0321), cyan (T0422), magenta (T0423), or yellow (T0424) ink cartridge with a new one. If the ink end error occurs after the print head moves to its home position, the ink cartridge may not be installed properly. Reinstall the ink cartridge until it clicks into place.

Wrong cartridge

The installed ink cartridge is not compatible with the printer.

Use the appropriate black (T0321), cyan (T0422), magenta (T0423) or yellow (T0424) ink cartridge.

Incorrectly installed ink cartridge

The ink cartridge is not installed correctly.

If the print head is at the home position, press the ink button to move the print head to the ink cartridge replacement position. Remove and reinsert the ink cartridge. Then continue with ink cartridge installation.

If the print head is at the ink cartridge replacement position, remove and reinsert the ink cartridge. Then continue with ink cartridge installation.

Carriage error

The print head carriage is obstructed by jammed paper or other foreign material and cannot return to the home position.

Turn off the printer. Open the printer cover and remove any paper or other obstructions from the paper path by hand. Then, turn the printer back on.

If the error does not clear, contact your dealer.

Unknown printer error

An unknown printer error has occurred.

Turn off the printer and contact your dealer.


[Top]

EPSON Status Monitor

The EPSON Status Monitor utility provides status messages and a graphic display showing the current status of the printer.

If a problem occurs while printing, an error message appears in the Progress Meter window.

When the ink is out, click How To in the EPSON Status Monitor or Progress Meter window and EPSON Status Monitor will lead you step-by-step through the cartridge replacement procedure.


[Top]

Running a printer operation check

If you are unable to determine the source of the problem, performing a printer operation check can help you determine whether the problem comes from the printer or the computer.

To print a printer operation check page, follow these steps.

If you use the parallel interface, make sure that both the printer and computer are turned off. If you use the USB interface, make sure that the PC is on and the printer is turned off.

Disconnect the cable from the printer's interface connector.

If you use the parallel interface, unlock the wire clips on both sides of the interface connector, remove the ground connector if necessary, and then disconnect the cable from the printer's interface connector.

If you use the USB interface, make sure that your PC is on when connecting the cable; otherwise, the PC may not recognize the printer.

Make sure that A4 or Letter size paper is loaded in the sheet feeder.

Hold down the  paper button and press the  power button to turn on the printer. Then, release only the  power button. When the printer starts the operation check, release the  paper button.

The printer prints an operation check page which includes the version of your printer's ROM, the ink counter code, and a nozzle check pattern.

Compare the quality of the printed test page with the sample shown below. If there are no print quality problems, the printer itself is fine and the problem probably lies with the printer software settings, the application settings, the interface cable (be sure to use a shielded cable), or the computer itself.

If the test page does not print satisfactorily, there is a problem with the printer. For example, if bands appear in the check pattern as shown below, this could mean a clogged ink nozzle or a misaligned print head.


[Top]


Next
Version 1.00E, Copyright © 2003, SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION